Romans 13:1-5 Sermon Notes

Christianity affects every relationship in life.

Christ makes a claim on every action we take.

The words we speak, even every thought.

Children obey your parents, husband love your wives, the slave is to obey the master, we are all charged to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Our speech is to be honorable, and the guiding principles of our life decisions, even down to the wild stray thought the deepest corner of our minds, are to be brought into subjection to Him.

This will inevitably impact the entire course of our lives.

So, the questions arise with what God considers appropriate within the variety of spheres of the Christian’s life.

Each of you as a person span multiple domains, you are each, a family member, a neighbor, a stranger, a church member, an employee, and where we will focus today, - A citizen.

Submission to the Authorities, because GOD put them there.

Romans 13:1 (ESV) Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.
Why?? God has instituted government.
For there is no authority except from God,
Which ones?? All of them.
and those that exist have been instituted by God.
This isn’t new.
John 19:6–11 (ESV) 6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” 7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
Granted. Pilates authority over Jesus was temporary, granted, yet real.
Daniel 2:19–21 (ESV) 19Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. 21He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;
Daniel 4:15–17 (ESV) 15But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, amid the tender grass of the field. Let him be wet with the dew of heaven. Let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. 16Let his mind be changed from a man’s, and let a beast’s mind be given to him; and let seven periods of time pass over him. 17The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’
Daniel 4:29–32 (ESV) 29At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” 31While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, 32and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.”
Daniel 4:34–37 (ESV) 34At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; 35all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
36At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
The king of Great Babylon, was humiliated to learn the lesson…
And then just as quickly, as put back into place.

There will be consequences based on going against, and submitting to these rulers/ordinances.

Romans 13:2–4 (ESV) 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
This is not new either. Disobeying authority that God has placed over you will come with judgment. (Penalty)
Punishment
Lex Talionis - Stripe for Stripe - equal. The principle of retribution. Justice is where the punishment corresponds to the offense, often summarized as "an eye for an eye".
Think this through from the stack of offenses.
The laws God laid down through Moses were fair.
They protected life and property.
They were limited and exact in scope.
Swiftness - brings fear (the good kind)
Think about the institution of parenting.
Children obey your parents… that you may live long.
What was the punishment for a child that grew up never yielding to submission to his parent? Stoning.
Most of this “orderliness” comes grounded in the home life as children.
Those who do not learn this, you know the stats. Most people incarcerated come from broken homes.
Criminal Rehab in Cape Town. Not = with drug rehab, but a new ordering of their lives. Learning to obey rules. Learning to follow the social structure of life. It helps when they are in groups. They get a chance to see the principles work out.
But all authority exists because Got put them there.
For the most part, when functioning correctly, it is a means for good.
Titus 3:1–2 (ESV) Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.
Meaning the law is laid down not for the just, but the unjust. And that, is ordained by God.
Christians are to be generally, almost entirely submissive by nature.
The BEST of citizens.
The laws are supposed to be a MEANS to establish order and peace, and also to enforce the rules has the benefits of:
Protection, They protected life and property.
Clarity and justice - They were limited and exact in scope.
Preventing Evil. Swiftness - brings fear (the good kind)

WHEN THE LAWS DO NOT establish these things – what do you have?

No protection? Gotham. The ruler’s corrupted
No limitations? Massacres. Whoever is in physical power, has no limitations.
No enforcement? Mob rule. Cape Town, necklacing for stealing a generator.

1 Peter 2:13–17 (ESV) 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

How far is the Christian to take this principle, when the human authority is clearly acting against the will or command of God?
Just before the death of actor W. C. Fields, a friend visited Fields’ hospital room and was surprised to find him thumbing through a Bible. When he asked what he was doing with a Bible, Fields replied, "I’m looking for loopholes."
Kennth Boa – “The fact that “governing authorities” are human authorities—sinners just like us—is perhaps what makes it so difficult.”
The Exceptions? – Don’t worry, I got you covered here!
When the state is demanding to go against God. Positively or negatively.
(TO Do something God forbids, or NOT to do something God Commands.)
Commanded - TO DO Exodus 1:15–21 (ESV)
15Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 16“When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” 17But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. 18So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” 19The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” 20So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong.
21And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.
Herod’s massacre of the innocents, Hitler’s slaughter of the Jews.
Forbidden - NOT TO DO Acts 4:13–21 (ESV)
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
In that case they had to make a decision on who to follow. Jesus said to go into all the world…and this is part of the world, isn’t it?
Daniel’s issue with the King’s food. Shadrach Meshack Abednigo and the golden idol.

* We faced this dilemma during COVID. Hebrews – not to forsake the assembling. Elsewhere to visit the sick.

These dilemmas require discernment, so that conviction is clear, and then the Christian must be willing to suffer the consequences of disobeying.

Jordan Peterson told Mikaela “Never listen to stupid rules.” (and) “Be willing to face the consequences.”
Daniel, The apostles, followed this framework. Weighted decision. Willing response.
How many Christians willingly faced the stake, the gallows and prisons, because they decided?

Romans 13:3–4 (ESV) 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
I used to be TERRIFIED whenever a policeman pulled behind me.
Stopped driving around with drugs.
14 for he is God’s servant for your good.
What about when God’s servant, Is clearly NOT for your good?
1 Peter 2:18–23 (ESV) 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. [[Why?]]. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
How much more, when it’s not a matter of injustice, or limitation of the Gospel, but viewed as an inconvenience?
There’s been many of stop signs that I (if I were king) would replace with a yield sign. Will I fight the fact that I got a ticket? No. There are zoning rules, that I’m not too fond of either if im honest.

REQUIRES DISCERNMENT on our role in the story. Beyond personal offense and preference there is a VERY important thing to remember.

EACH OF US, we need to see GOD as a higher Authority. One who will hold all to account.
Especially the ABUSES of those who were entrusted in protecting the GOOD.
Romans 13:4 But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

4. Sword – Execution.

What is the Christian’s worldview concerning Capital punishment?
There were swift punishments in the old covenant.
Usually it was restitution. Honorably be able to work with your hands and be done with it.
There were 29 offenses that carried a penalty of death under the mosaic covenant.
Romans had multiple ways to execute, Crucifixion was reserved for the most severe.
The Sword – beheading – was the most practical. (Today? Electric Chair/Lethal injection)
Genesis 9 (ESV) And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. 2 The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered. 3 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. 4 But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. 5 And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. 6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.
Predates Covenant with Moses, Jacob, David, Jesus’s new Covenant. And it’s still in effect, how do we know?
17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.” The RAINBOW

We’ve reviewed Nebuchadnezzar, Pharoah, and Pilate. Kings and governors

Let me tell you another story. Of a Pastor, and a father. Johnathon Elwing.

He’s entitled to a fair trial.
Tomorrow. Johnathon’s trial begins.
No sanctuary for that kind of behavior.

Why is that so appalling? One of the many reasons, because the authority that God placed the person in was so betrayed.

The pastors that carry on relationships with other women.
The ones going after children, even more severe.
Matthew 18:6 (ESV) 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Romans 13:5 (ESV) 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

Be in subjection, God’s Order.
Avoid God’s wrath, which includes the delegated authority’s wrath, ie the State.
For the sake of Conscience. – This requires clarity of conviction, and will to follow through.

Romans 13:6–7 (ESV) 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.
I did not plan this sermon to be on Tax Week by the way.
Luke 20:19–26 (ESV) Paying Taxes to Caesar 19 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.
Tiberius Coin
“Tiberius Ceaser, son of the divine, [Augustus], [himself/now] Augustus”

Man is created in God’s image. (Ladies too btw)
Simple. Even when the tax money is misused. (we already covered the exceptions)
7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Matthew 17:24–27 (ESV) The Temple Tax24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” 26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

1 Timothy 2:1–4 (ESV) First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.